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Deputy Minister Gina calls on investors to unlock uMkhanyakude's economic potential
DSTI
25 October 2026
3 min read
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The Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Nomalungelo Gina, has called on investors, business leaders and development finance institutions to partner with uMkhanyakude District Municipality to unlock economic opportunities, strengthen infrastructure and create sustainable employment.
Addressing the uMkhanyakude Investment Gala Dinner on Thursday, 22 October, Deputy Minister Gina highlighted the district’s strategic location, bordering Mozambique and Eswatini, as an opportunity to expand trade and access markets across the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
“uMkhanyakude is open for business. We are inviting corporate partners, investors and financiers to work with us to unlock the district’s economic potential, develop competitive industries and create sustainable employment opportunities for our people,” she said.
In her capacity as the District Development Model (DDM) Champion in the District, Deputy Minister Gina emphasised the importance of coordinated government action through the DDM, anchored in the principle of “One District, One Plan, One Budget”.
The district is targeting turnaround times of 60 to 90 days for relevant investor facilitation processes, with the UMhlosinga Development Agency playing a central role in connecting investors with government institutions.
The gala dinner showcased 11 catalytic projects with potential to stimulate economic growth through public-private partnerships, commercial concessions and direct private-sector investment.
Government has identified R52.2 billion in committed public investment to support the district’s development, providing critical enabling infrastructure for private-sector investment. This includes approximately R49.1 billion for transport and roads, R2.45 billion for water and sanitation, and R1.1 billion for health and social facilities. Eight energy and digital infrastructure projects have also been identified, although their rand value has not been published.
Major infrastructure initiatives include upgrades to the N2 towards the Mpumalanga border and the R22 between Hluhluwe and Mozambique, alongside water and sanitation programmes across the district’s four local municipalities. Health infrastructure projects include the Mtubatuba Community Health Centre, the Mosvold Hospital upgrade and the Hluhluwe Private Hospital.
Despite this investment, bulk services remain a constraint for some developments. These include water and sewer connections for the Nkodibe Precinct, bulk-service arrangements for the Hluhluwe Private Hospital and access-road and infrastructure funding requirements for the Government City Precinct.
Deputy Minister Gina urged investors to work with government and local communities to strengthen value chains, develop skills, expand productive capacity and create lasting economic opportunities.
“By bringing together capital, expertise, innovation and coordinated government support, we can build stronger infrastructure, expand economic opportunities and position the district as a more competitive gateway to the wider SADC market,” she said.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Ms Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa, called for uMkhanyakude to be repositioned as “not a place of punishment, not a place of pity, but a District of Opportunity”.
The DDM MEC Champion highlighted the district’s agricultural potential, citing the Bhambanana Red Meat Abattoir, Ndlondlweni Auction Facility, rehabilitation of the Makhathini Irrigation Scheme spanning more than 4,500 hectares, and the Mkhuze Wastewater Treatment Works programme as initiatives supporting this vision.
Business leader and co-Chairperson of the KZN Growth Coalition Fund, Mr Moses Tembe, called on businesses to work closely with government to ensure investment translates into meaningful employment and tangible improvements in people’s lives. He challenged stakeholders to reconvene in 2027 with a clear report on progress and measurable development outcomes.
The Investment Gala Dinner reaffirmed the importance of sustained collaboration between government and business to translate uMkhanyakude’s economic potential into investment, jobs and inclusive growth.
ENDS
ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
For more information, please contact Veronica Mohapeloa at 0834005750. For more information on the projects, please visit https://investumkhanyakude.org.za
Addressing the uMkhanyakude Investment Gala Dinner on Thursday, 22 October, Deputy Minister Gina highlighted the district’s strategic location, bordering Mozambique and Eswatini, as an opportunity to expand trade and access markets across the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
“uMkhanyakude is open for business. We are inviting corporate partners, investors and financiers to work with us to unlock the district’s economic potential, develop competitive industries and create sustainable employment opportunities for our people,” she said.
In her capacity as the District Development Model (DDM) Champion in the District, Deputy Minister Gina emphasised the importance of coordinated government action through the DDM, anchored in the principle of “One District, One Plan, One Budget”.
The district is targeting turnaround times of 60 to 90 days for relevant investor facilitation processes, with the UMhlosinga Development Agency playing a central role in connecting investors with government institutions.
The gala dinner showcased 11 catalytic projects with potential to stimulate economic growth through public-private partnerships, commercial concessions and direct private-sector investment.
Government has identified R52.2 billion in committed public investment to support the district’s development, providing critical enabling infrastructure for private-sector investment. This includes approximately R49.1 billion for transport and roads, R2.45 billion for water and sanitation, and R1.1 billion for health and social facilities. Eight energy and digital infrastructure projects have also been identified, although their rand value has not been published.
Major infrastructure initiatives include upgrades to the N2 towards the Mpumalanga border and the R22 between Hluhluwe and Mozambique, alongside water and sanitation programmes across the district’s four local municipalities. Health infrastructure projects include the Mtubatuba Community Health Centre, the Mosvold Hospital upgrade and the Hluhluwe Private Hospital.
Despite this investment, bulk services remain a constraint for some developments. These include water and sewer connections for the Nkodibe Precinct, bulk-service arrangements for the Hluhluwe Private Hospital and access-road and infrastructure funding requirements for the Government City Precinct.
Deputy Minister Gina urged investors to work with government and local communities to strengthen value chains, develop skills, expand productive capacity and create lasting economic opportunities.
“By bringing together capital, expertise, innovation and coordinated government support, we can build stronger infrastructure, expand economic opportunities and position the district as a more competitive gateway to the wider SADC market,” she said.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Ms Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa, called for uMkhanyakude to be repositioned as “not a place of punishment, not a place of pity, but a District of Opportunity”.
The DDM MEC Champion highlighted the district’s agricultural potential, citing the Bhambanana Red Meat Abattoir, Ndlondlweni Auction Facility, rehabilitation of the Makhathini Irrigation Scheme spanning more than 4,500 hectares, and the Mkhuze Wastewater Treatment Works programme as initiatives supporting this vision.
Business leader and co-Chairperson of the KZN Growth Coalition Fund, Mr Moses Tembe, called on businesses to work closely with government to ensure investment translates into meaningful employment and tangible improvements in people’s lives. He challenged stakeholders to reconvene in 2027 with a clear report on progress and measurable development outcomes.
The Investment Gala Dinner reaffirmed the importance of sustained collaboration between government and business to translate uMkhanyakude’s economic potential into investment, jobs and inclusive growth.
ENDS
ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
For more information, please contact Veronica Mohapeloa at 0834005750. For more information on the projects, please visit https://investumkhanyakude.org.za
